Hot news: Sharapova pulls out of Australian Open

Source: AP

Maria Sharapova’s shoulder injury will keep her out of another big event—the Australian Open.

Sharapova told the tournament Sunday she will not be able to defend her title at Melbourne Park beginning Jan. 19. She also missed the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. Open because of the injury, and her recovery has been slower than expected.

“My shoulder is doing great,” she said in a statement. “But I just started training a few weeks ago and I am just not near the level I need to be to compete at the highest levels.”